American Adoptions -- America's Adoption Agency

It is Never Too Late to Give A Baby Up for Adoption

How You Can Still Give Your Baby Up for Adoption After Birth

Adoption is never an easy choice for a woman to make, and sometimes she might not make her final decision until the end of her pregnancy, or even after she gives birth. These are sometimes referred to as “last-minute adoptions,” “pop-up adoptions,” or "after-delivery adoption."

If you’re wondering how to give a baby up for adoption in the hospital, know that you will still have the same rights and play the same role in the adoption processas any other prospective birth mother. With American Adoptions, you can choose an adoptive family while lying in your hospital bed, and an hour later be talking with them on the phone while they are driving to meet you and your baby. Remember, each one of our adoptive families is already pre-screened, excited to become parents through adoption and just a phone call away.

And as with all adoptions, you remain in control of your adoption plan. You still choose the adoptive family, determine the post-adoption relationship and decide on any contact you want prior to delivering. For example, you may meet an adoptive family before choosing them, just days before your due date, if necessary.

If you choose to put a baby up for adoption after birth, whether it’s immediately after they’re born or months later, here’s what will happen:

You’ll contact an American Adoptions specialist at 1-800-ADOPTION. They’ll help you fill out your social and medical history forms and determine your preferences for an adoptive family.

The specialist will send you some profiles of families to choose from that match your preferences.

Once you choose a family, they will be notified and be on their way to you as soon as possible. Depending on how close they live to you, you may meet them within hours. They might even talk to you on the phone as they’re traveling, if possible.

Once you meet the adoptive family, you can clarify your preferences for open adoption contact and your post-adoption relationship.

With the assistance of a social worker and a lawyer, you will sign away your parental rights and the adoptive family will take custody of your baby.

Deciding to give your baby up for adoption at the last minute can be stressful, which is why American Adoptions does all it can to make the process as smooth as possible for you. These last-minute adoptions still offer free medical expenses, legal expenses, 24/7 adoption support and even living expenses in many situations. Just because you are choosing to place your baby for adoption after birth does not mean that you are treated any differently from a mother who chooses adoption earlier in her pregnancy. Your comfort is of the utmost importance to us, and our specialists are available 24 hours a day to help you navigate your feelings about the adoption and the future of your child so you can be confident in your decision.

Remember, it is never too late to “give” your baby up for adoption. Whether you just gave birth and you’re wondering who to contact about adoption, or if your baby is older, there is no “deadline” for giving your baby up for adoption. To get started, please call our adoption specialists at any time at 1-800-ADOPTION. We can help you start an adoption plan right away and place your baby with a loving family within hours.

What Are My Responsibilities as the Father?

When it comes to dealing with an unexpected pregnancy, much of the compassion, sympathy and focus is placed on the woman. But what about the father?

As the father of the baby, you too are more than likely dealing with a rollercoaster of emotions. Much like the emotions being experienced by the mother, you are also likely to experience shock, denial, anger, sadness and other feelings. Many fathers express there is often a state of confusion on how to put into words what they are truly feeling. Much of the time feelings of embarrassment and a loss of control are expressed by the birth father.

However, many men also feel that by agreeing to place the baby for adoption that they are somehow not living up to their responsibilities, or are not being “man enough.” Many men also have a strong sense of pride and struggle accepting the fact that they cannot give their baby the life that an adoptive family can. Many find it difficult to understand the reasons the birth mother is choosing an adoption plan. Others incorrectly believe the birth mother is choosing adoption to get back at them if the relationship is not a friendly one. Many fear others are looking at them as somehow failing their child, family and friends, or that they are taking the “easy way out.”

No matter what your reasons are for struggling with an adoption decision for your child, the truth is that adoption is anything but the “easy way out,” nor is it a choice made by a man who is not living up to his responsibilities. Rather, it is very much the opposite. Supporting the adoption of your child is one of the most responsible, unselfish things a father can do. It is a choice that means you care so much for your child that you are willing to give them a better life than you and the birth mother can give them right now.